CrossStitcher

You can find your exclusive printable card blank in our CrossStitcher Digital Downloads group on Facebook at bit.ly/3HTh6ZJ Designed by: Susan Penny Stitch count: 34 high x 36 wide Design size: 6x6.5cm (23⁄8x21⁄2in) Stitch time: 8 hours This design was stitched on 14 count aida fabric. Make a… card Step 1 WORK the design, according to the chart and key, on a 10x10cm (4x4in) piece of white 14 count aida. The backstitch is detailed so you may need to change to a sharper needle to get the fine detail on the wings and body. Step 2 TRIM the stitched fabric to fit your card front (see tip to download card), leaving approximately two blank aida squares around the design – cut into an octagon shape following the outer line of the stitching. Step 3 ATTACH double-sided tape to the back…

IT TAKES QUITE some time to assemble an issue of CrossStitcher. We start commissioning our designers to create your charts around four months before the magazine is ready for you to read. Back in the dull days of April, we could never have guessed that our Mediterranean cover project would be closer to reality than the holiday dream we imagined. We are writing this letter to you on the hottest day ever recorded in the UK! The thermometer will be lower when you read this, but we hope you will enjoy stitching Maria Diaz’s design – get started on page 18. Before the summer fades too far from memory, we want to capture some studies of our favourite blooms. Susan Bates has put a beautiful collection together within a clever lace-style…

Bright &beautiful Bothy Threads have launched their latest artist partnership with Rachel Froud. ‘The Menagerie’ collection includes these first two designs, Paradise and Illusion. These bold, beautiful designs are worked using bright blended cross stitch, stitched on colour printed aida. Paradise is a parrot design, stitched on a stunning colour printed pink/yellow sunset aida, while Illusion is a colourful chameleon, stitched on a colour printed green tropical aida. Each kit includes 14 count colour printed Zweigart aida, presorted stranded cottons, needle, stitch diagram and instructions. Both are available to order from www.bothythreads.com. MY CRAFT ROOM: STEPH ARNOLD We get to see a glimpse of a designer’s own craft space… “As my embroidery kit business expanded I needed to have more space than just my dining table where it all began. To try to keep…

Hullo! I am a huge lover of ice cream. There are a few ice creameries near me that do the full shebang – flavours, sprinkles, nuts and toppings! I used to rarely go because somewhere along the way I decided I had to control myself. That these things were only for ‘special occasions’ – forgetting that life is a special occasion in itself. So, this month, we pay homage to the joyous ice cream and to letting go of control every now and again. So many of us guard our emotions down to the last drop. It’s totally understandable – being able to control aspects of life adds a level of stability in a chaotic world. But at what point does that control mean we miss out on some truly uplifting…

SIMPLE HAND SEWING LAURA STRUTT [CICO Books] Laura Strutt has designed 35 projects especially to develop your hand-sewing skills, but also to help you slow down, enjoy the moment, and appreciate the rewards of your work. Using a number of different techniques including visible mending, sashiko, embroidery, thread doodling, boro and abstract embroidery, you’ll learn how to incorporate these methods to make useful, creative and sustainable pieces that are mini works of art. THE SEWING MACHINE MANUAL WENDY GARDINER [Search Press] Scared of machine stitching? This handy manual includes all the guidance you need to make friends with your new sewing machine, or get reacquainted with the model you already own. Wendy Gardiner includes all the basics, including machine anatomy, how to thread up, and how to check stitching and tension. Build your…

Take advantage of our exclusive offers to UK readers and receive special discount prices… Enjoy stitching these lovely Folksy designs from the Maggie Magoo collection… Move your palette from the hot colours of summer, to the darker shades of winter, with these pretty kits produced by Anchor, stitched on 14 count black aida. Designed by Carole Fenwick, both kits come complete with aida, with pre-sorted stranded cotton and everything else you need to make the pincushion and needlecase – both perfect projects for the intermediate cross stitcher. The lovely folksy colours and cute motifs, on both the pincushion and needlecase, are reminiscent of traditional folk dresses of central Europe. Choose from the following designs: Folksy Butterfly Needlecase and Folksy Pincushion – or buy both and save an extra 5% on the offer price. Please mark…